Cody Rhodes retains Undisputed WWE Championship at WrestleMania 42, but Randy Orton gets last licks

WWE NXT star Ricky Saints explains to Fox News Digital what makes WrestleMania so special.

LAS VEGAS – Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton put on a pure wrestling match at WrestleMania 42 on Saturday night in Las Vegas and the looming distraction was eliminated for the most part.

Pat McAfee entered the ring with Orton to begin the match. The presence of the ESPN commentator was clearly a sore spot for fans as he received some of the loudest boos of the night at Allegiant Stadium. He attacked Rhodes with a microphone to start the match.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

Pat McAfee greets fans from the ring on night one of WrestleMania 42 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nev., on April 18, 2026. (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

Once Rhodes got his bearings, he pushed Orton to the side and turned his attention to McAfee. He cleared off the announce table, placed McAfee on it. He allowed Jelly Roll to hit an elbow drop onto the former NFL player. McAfee was booed as he was carried out of the arena on a stretcher.

The match finally began. It moved a slow, but calculated pace for the most part. Rhodes, who normally doesn’t target his ailing opponents, kept working Orton’s back for the entire match. The crowd watched silently as Rhodes and Orton traded blows and tried to gain advantage on one another.

It wasn’t until Rhodes pushed Orton into the ring post outside of the squared circle where the crowd finally woke up. Orton was busted open. Rhodes tried to steal Orton’s finisher and give him an RKO but it was countered. Orton then stole Rhodes’ tactic and hit "The American Nightmare" with a Cross Rhodes.

Moments later, Rhodes finally hit Orton with an RKO. But still, no fall. Orton responded with an RKO of his own. He